A wonderful wonderful person came to fix up the computers in my classroom last week. Nathan, someone Kathy knows, who had never met me or the kids before, came to spend a few hours updating the computers. Apparently there were 44 updates that were needed on one of the computers alone. I have no idea what he did to them, but there was some talk about spyware and viruses and updates... Now the computers don't freeze up or randomly close windows. It's awesome.
(I have been putting off finishing this blog post for months. You'll see why) Today, I was cleaning a bookshelf and I found the journal from one of my third-grade students, who I call Fred in my book , in 2001. I still had it because he didn't come to the last day of school to get his stuff this year and I guess it got put in a pile and somehow I've kept it with me. He didn't come to the last day of school, probably because his family was a mess: dad in prison, mom in an abusive relationship, all the kids (understandably) acting out violently. Fred was expelled from our school in second grade for hitting a teacher. Then he was expelled from the other school, I don't know why, at the end of second grade. He came back on the condition from the administration that he be in my class because I had him as a student in first grade and he listened to me and worked well with me. We had a really good relationship, although Fred was definitely not easy to have in class.
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Related to the compassion of Kathy, the "philosophy slam" competition this year has the topic "Compassion or Violence: which has the greater impact on society?" and has a 3rd-5th grade entry category, involving drawing pics. Thought you might be interested.
http://www.philosophyslam.org/rules_fin.html#3rd
Postmark Deadline for all entries: February 16th, 2007.
Students may create artwork, paint, or draw a picture to express their feelings or ideas about the topic "Compassion or violence? Which has a greater impact on society?" If compassion has a greater impact, define compassion and describe its impact. If violence has a greater impact, define violence and describe its impact. Students may use any creative combination of words and artwork or write an essay, short story or poetry about the topic. Judging: Entries in this age category will be judged on creativity, originality and overall strength of the message the student is conveying. A national winner will be chosen from each grade level will be chosen.